Following are answers to some common questions about the hiring process for Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Patrol and Corrections Deputy Applicants. If you have any additional questions, you can send an e-mail to sheriffsjobs@co.clackamas.or.us or call the individuals listed at the bottom of this page.

Q. What type of commitment is required of me to have a successful career in law enforcement?

A. Law enforcement can be a very rewarding and challenging career selection -- offering excitement and opportunities for personal growth. A career in law enforcement is also a significant commitment -- including challenging emotional situations and time constraints in your personal life.

Clackamas County provides 24/7 law-enforcement services to county citizens. If you're up for the challenge, this is an excellent career choice -- a choice that can be made even better with the support of friends and family.

Q. How do I know which opening to apply for within the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office?

A. Patrol openings are for Deputy positions not in the Clackamas County Jail. Corrections openings are for Deputy positions within the jail only. To determine if you should apply for a Recruit or Lateral position, please see the job announcement for specific requirements and details.

Q. What are the basic eligibility requirements and automatic background disqualifiers?

Q. When will I hear from your office regarding my application status after I submit my online application?

A. You will receive notice from us by U.S. Mail/email within two weeks after the closing date of the job posting.

Q. Will you ever contact me by email?

A. Yes. In the interest of sustainability, Clackamas County sends most recruitment correspondence via email. It's a good idea to check your email regularly so you don’t miss anything.

Q. I'm already a certified Corrections Officer, Deputy, or Police Officer from another State -- and I'm interested in applying for a lateral position with Clackamas County. Will my certification transfer so I don’t need to attend the academy again?

A. The State’s Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) will review your previous training and determine if additional or abbreviated training must be completed to be certified in the State of Oregon. You should still apply if interested as this takes place later in the application process.

Q. What are the steps in the screening process after I have submitted my application for Deputy Sheriff, Recruit?

A. The steps are as follows. You must successfully pass each step in order to progress to the next step in the screening process.

STEP 1. Minimum Qualifications -- We ensure that you meet minimum qualifications for the position by reviewing your online application; this includes confirming that you have submitted a completed Statement of Personal History (SPH) packet by the recruitment close date. Candidates passing the minimum qualifications will be emailed an invitation to written testing and the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT).

STEP 2. Written/ Video Testing & ORPAT -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 will be participating in written/video testing. The test vendor is Ergometrics. Candidates will be invited to ORPAT testing in conjunction with written testing.

STEP 3. Oral Board Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 and Step 2 will be invited to a panel interview. This interview is considered an oral test and all candidates will be asked the same questions and be placed in banded groups. Candidates who are placed in Band A-C will be placed on the eligibility register.

STEP 4. Department Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Steps 1-3 may be invited to a “in-house” interview with the Sheriff’s Office. Referral for a Department Interview is based on the banded groups on the eligibility register.

Q. What are the steps in the screening process after I have submitted my application for Deputy Sheriff?

A. The steps are as follows. You must successfully pass each step in order to progress to the next step in the screening process.

STEP 1. Minimum Qualifications -- We ensure that you meet minimum qualifications for the position by reviewing your online application; this includes confirming that you have submitted a completed Statement of Personal History (SPH) packet by the recruitment close date. Candidates passing the minimum qualifications will be emailed an invitation to written testing and the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT).

STEP 2. Written/ Video Testing & ORPAT -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 will be participating in written/video testing. The test vendor is Ergometrics. Candidates will be invited to ORPAT testing in conjunction with written testing.

STEP 3. Oral Board Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 and Step 2 will be invited to a panel interview. This interview is considered an oral test and all candidates will be asked the same questions and be placed in banded groups. Candidates who are placed in Band A-C will be placed on the eligibility register.

STEP 4. Department Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Steps 1-3 may be invited to a “in-house” interview with the Sheriff’s Office. Referral for a Department Interview is based on the banded groups on the eligibility register.

Q. What are the steps in the screening process after I have submitted my application for Corrections Deputy and Corrections Deputy, Recruit?

A. The steps are as follows. You must successfully pass each step in order to progress to the next step in the screening process.

STEP 1. Minimum Qualifications -- We ensure that you meet minimum qualifications for the position by reviewing your online application; this includes confirming that you have submitted a completed Statement of Personal History (SPH) packet by the recruitment close date. Candidates passing the minimum qualifications will be emailed an invitation to written testing.

STEP 2. Written/ Video Testing -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 will be participating in written/video testing. The test vendor is Ergometrics. Candidates will also be required to participate in a tour of the Jail.

STEP 3. Oral Board Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Step 1 and Step 2 will be invited to a panel interview. This interview is considered an oral test and all candidates will be asked the same questions and be placed in banded groups. Candidates who are placed in Band A-C will be placed on the eligibility register.

STEP 4. Department Interview -- Candidates who successfully pass Steps 1-3 may be invited to a “in-house” interview with the Sheriff’s Office. Referral for a Department Interview is based on the banded groups on the eligibility register.

Q. What types of tests will I be asked to take as an applicant for Patrol/Corrections Deputy?

A. You may be asked to take several tests that can include: written/video based testing; supplemental questionnaire, ORPAT (Patrol), oral board (panel) interview; and Department “in- house” interview, psychological examination, medical, and drug test.

Q. If I take the written/video based test for a Patrol or Corrections position, can I use the same score to apply for the other?

A. No. You must apply for each job opening separately in order to be considered. The test that we administer is different and specific to each classification.

Q. I am not going to be able to make it to the test dates posted in the job announcement. Is there a way to re-schedule?

A. Due to the high volume of applicants, we are rarely able to make scheduling accommodations for testing or oral board interviews. Individual requests will be considered by the Department of Employee Services for reasons such as military obligations, court subpoenas, etc. Proof required. If you are not able to attend please call us so we can permit you to re-apply and test with the next testing cycle.

Q. What type of background investigation is required to be employed as a Patrol/Corrections Deputy with the County?

A. A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Office -- and you must successfully pass it to move forward in the application process.

Your background investigation will consist of an evaluation of all information related to the 14 Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) job dimensions. These dimensions are: dependability, problem-solving ability, observation skills, integrity, learning ability, judgment under pressure, communication skills, appearance, interpersonal sensitivity, willingness to confront problems, desire for self-improvement, interest in people, operation of a motor vehicle, and credibility as a witness in court.

Q. Who will the Sheriff's Office talk to while conducting my background investigation?

A. The Sheriff’s Office may contact anyone you have known, been associated with, or are suspected to have known during the background investigation. They will typically investigate from present back to 18 years of age.

Q. Am I able to find out the status of my background investigation while it is in progress?

A. No. The Sheriff’s Office is unable to provide status updates for applicants that are going through the background investigation process.

Q. How long does the background investigation take?

A. Your background investigation may take up to approximately eight weeks. During this time the Sheriff’s Office will notify you if the background investigator needs any additional information and you should respond quickly.

Q. Can I find out why I was not successful in passing my background investigation?

A. No. The Sheriff’s Office is unable to provide specific information regarding the reason you have failed your background investigation. You will be asked to sign a waiver to ensure that individuals that provide information to the background investigators are guaranteed the right to confidentiality for the information they provide.

Q. Can I apply for both Corrections and Patrol positions at the same time?

A. Yes. You may have active applications with both divisions and be on our "eligibility list" at the same time.

Q. What is the "eligibility register" -- and how do I get on it?

A. The eligibility register is our banded list of qualified and vetted applicants for jobs, sorted an alphabetic banding system.

To be placed on the eligibility register, you will need to successfully pass all phases of the application process.

Q. How long will I be on the eligibility register once I am placed on it?

A. You will remain on the eligibility register for a minimum of six months and typically not more than one year. Please see the job announcement for the position for which you are applying for exact timelines.

Q. Why don’t I find out what my place is on the eligibility register once it’s established?

A. You will be placed on the eligibility list using banded process. Your position may change due to eligibility lists being merged, candidates withdrawing, etc. In the banded process, the Sheriff’s Office may request more than one band at a time to conduct “in-house” interviews.

Q. What if my address or phone number changes during the application process or while I am on the eligibility register?

A. Updating your contact information is your responsibility. Please log back into the "Candidate Gateway" online application system and update your contact information. If you are in the Department Interview phase or working with a background investigator, please also notify Kay Lattos (503-785-5162) from the Sheriff’s Office, as well.

Q. As a Patrol or Corrections recruit, what type of training will I receive once I'm hired?

A. You will receive extensive training prior to working independently.

Once you return to the Sheriff’s Office, you will work with a Field Training Officer during the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) until you have successfully completed all phases of training. During this time, you will be serving on a one-year new-employee probationary period.

Q. If I am selected for hire as a recruit, how long will it be before I attend the DPSST academy?

A. Once you have passed all required testing and have been hired on by the Sheriff’s Office, you will be registered for an opening at the DPSST academy as soon as possible. You may begin with some pre-academy training with Sheriff’s Office personnel and then go to the academy -- completing your Sheriff's Office training when you return.

Q. What can I expect if the Sheriff’s Office sends me to the DPSST academy?

A. You must successfully complete your probationary period and typically have a couple of years of service prior to being eligible for consideration for a special unit. If there is an opening in one of these special divisions, the Sheriff’s Office will select the most competitive candidate.

Q. How can I be promoted to a supervisory position such as Sergeant or Lieutenant?

A. If there is an opening for one of these positions, a recruitment will be conducted by the Department of Employee Services (DES), and the most competitive candidate will be selected.

Q. For which "contract cities" does the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office currently provide law-enforcement services?

A. We currently provide law enforcement services to the following cities within Clackamas County: Happy Valley, Wilsonville, and Damascus. Deputies who are assigned to work these areas may drive a city- specific car and wear a city-specific uniform while on duty.